Niagara High School students, along with city and town of Niagara voters, will choose from among five students recently selected by high school students to be the 2025 finalists. Originated and sponsored by the Niagara Lions Club since 1968, the new Miss Niagara will have her coronation at the Niagara Lions Community Picnic on June 28, when she will be presented with a crown and sash from the 2024 Miss Niagara, Mallory Sanicki.

Candidates for this year are juniors Lydia Beard, Brooke Bruemmer, Jaylynn Kichura, Elesia Sweig and Annalee White.

— Lydia Elaine Beard, 16, is the daughter of Kayla and Albert Beard and has two younger brothers, Theron and Ryker.

As a student at Niagara High School, Beard participates in multiple extracurricular activities. She excels in basketball, softball, theater, forensics and is a standout member of the varsity cheerleading team, earning a varsity letter and competing in state-level competitions.

BROOKE BRUEMMER (Karen Klenke photo)

Her favorite subjects are U.S. history, English and band. She also devotes much of her time to performing arts, both at school and in the Dickinson County Theater Group, whether on stage or helping in community events.

Beard gives back to the community by volunteering at local events, including running concession stands and operating the scoreboard at games. She also serves as a babysitter for families in Niagara and Iron Mountain.

Beard named her mom as her greatest role model. “My mom inspired me to work hard at the things I love and have a passion for. She has always been there for me,” Beard said. She also looks up to her grandmother, who has supported her unconditionally throughout her life.

Outside of school, Beard likes to paint, a hobby that allows her to express her creativity. She also enjoys working alongside her parents and is grateful for the opportunity to learn from them and help in any way she can.

After graduation, Beard plans to pursue a degree in special education and social work at Ferris State University in Michigan. “I want to make a difference in the lives of others,” Beard said.

JAYLYNN KICHURA (Karen Klenke photo)

Beard said of Niagara, “The community is so welcoming, and the school is full of kind and respectful people. I’ve made so many amazing memories here, and I would love to come back to Niagara in the future.”

— Brooke Bruemmer, 17, is the daughter of Denise Lind and Marc Bruemmer, and has one sibling, Evan.

Bruemmer is an accomplished student-athlete. As a member of the volleyball and track teams, she earned first-year major recognition in both sports. She was also part of the M&O Conference champion volleyball team and has competed at the state level in forensics.

Her favorite subjects are health occupations and AP biology. She has earned high honors recognition and is a member of the National Honor Society. In addition, she earned a first-place award in the HOSA Future Health Professionals competition.

Bruemmer’s love for the arts includes being a member of the theater program and receiving a first-place award from the Association of Student Artists, as well as a Merit Award from the Frostic School of Art.

ELESIA SWEIG (Karen Klenke photo)

In the community, Bruemmer has taught at volleyball camps, been a lifeguard at the YMCA, assisted with the community play and helped with basketball concessions.

Bruemmer’s role model is her mother, Denise, who has always been active in the community and school activities, encouraging Bruemmer to reach her full potential. “My mother always finds time to help others, and she pushes me to try new things,” Bruemmer said. “Her dedication to helping others and striving to make a difference has inspired me to do the same.”

Through the Dickinson Iron Intermediate School District Clinical Program, Bruemmer has had the opportunity to shadow physical therapy professionals at Marshfield Medical Center-Dickinson. “I’ve had the chance to help people walk again after major surgeries or injuries, and this experience brings me joy and gives me a sense of purpose,” she said. “I would love to become a physical therapist because I get to make a tangible difference in people’s lives.”

Outside of school and work, Bruemmer enjoys spending time with friends and family and is dedicated to staying active through regular workouts.

Her post-high school plans are to pursue a career as a physical therapist or in another medical field.

ANNALEE WHITE (Karen Klenke photo)

— Jaylynn Kichura is the daughter of Jason Kichura, April McCarthy, Lisa Kichura and Matt “Sweets” McCarthy. Her siblings are Jacob Kichura, Haven Kichura, Carson Wakeham, Lizzy Seymour and Mack Hull.

A well-rounded student, Kichura is highly involved in the arts and athletics. She participates in dance at Northern Michigan Dance Academy, drama and cheerleading, where she has received three varsity letters and was named “most improved.” In forensics, she earned two state medals.

Kichura has a special affinity for art, where she gets to express her creativity, and math, which allows her to solve complex problems.

Kichura names her father as her role model. “My dad had a hard childhood and upbringing, but he never let those things define him,” she said. “He pushed past those challenges, and as a father, he makes sure none of his kids have to go through the same struggles. I am very lucky to call him Dad.”

In the community, Kichura has volunteered her time for several local service events, including a basketball tournament supporting the Lions Club, a youth basketball tournament and the North Point Color Walk, which promotes mental health awareness.

In addition, Kichura works part-time at Badger Day Care and full-time for summer camp at the YMCA. She also enjoys baking, trying new recipes, and spending quality time with her family and friends, especially at the lake.

After graduating, Kichura plans to pursue a career as an early elementary teacher.

— Elesia Sweig, 17, is the daughter of Heather and David Sweig, and has two siblings, Landon and Annika.

Sweig academically has taken early college credit courses online while excelling in subjects such as English and Spanish, placing on the high honor roll. She also earned varsity letters in volleyball, basketball and softball.

Other extracurricular activities include being part of the school theater program, forensics and student council, where Sweig is secretary for the Class of 2026. She has twice been a state finalist in forensics and received the Badger Award for both volleyball and softball.

In the community, Sweig has coached youth teams, volunteered at St. Anthony’s events, worked at school fundraisers, been a referee for middle school sports and assisted with score tables at school events.

Sweig named her parents as role models and a guiding force in her life. They taught her the values of respect, optimism, courage and outgoingness. “I owe everything to them,” Sweig said. “They’ve given me so many opportunities and resources to succeed, and they inspire me to strive for greatness every day.”

Outside of school activities, Sweig enjoys hanging out with friends and family, working out, reading and practicing her sports. She is also passionate about riding ATVs, a hobby she says helps her relax and enjoy the outdoors.

Sweig works part-time as a barista at the Bean Box and takes on babysitting jobs.

Her future plans are to pursue a radiology career after high school.

— Annalee White, 17, is the daughter of Lori and Ed White, with a sibling, Eddie.

White has consistently achieved high honors in high school, even earning an academic letter for maintaining the best grade-point average as a sophomore. One of her favorite classes is health occupations, largely due to the inspiration she receives from her teacher.

Athletically, White has received a varsity letter for volleyball and softball.

She has served as class president for three consecutive years and is a student council representative.

Additionally, White participates in theater, which she said “really helped me come out of my shell and express myself in new ways.” She has earned awards in forensics speaking as well. “Forensics has helped me become an excellent public speaker and gave me the confidence to speak in front of a crowd,” she said.

In the community, White participates in service trips with her church, assists with various local events and is always ready to lend a hand when asked. She has a part-time job as a childcare worker at the YMCA.

In her free time, White enjoys staying active by going to the gym and hiking. Traveling and car rides are also some of her favorite ways to unwind and explore new places.

White credits her father as her most influential role model. “My dad is very resilient and filled with knowledge,” White said. “He has taught me so much, and I would be lucky to be half the person he is some day. His ability to come out of anything life throws at him is something I deeply admire.”

Post-high school, White plans to attend college to pursue a career as a nurse anesthetist.